Interactive Map

Description

Star Dune sits 56 feet higher than its counterpart High Dune. The High Dune rises 699 feet from its base (Star Dune 755 ft) but because the High Dune starts off on higher ground, the crest of the High Dune is higher then that of the Star Dune. So that aside, this is the tallest dune in the whole park.

The view from the top is well worth the 3+ mile trek through the super hot sand. Star Dune is also unique because of its geometrical shape. Star dunes have a pyramid shape to them, and usually have three or more 'arms' that radiate from the center. They tend to form when you have mutable prevailing winds going in different directions. The dunes are speculated to be thousands of years old, but scientists are not sure, because there is not a good system for dating sand.

Half-Day Hike: Use the Great Dunes Trail or just hike across the sand.